The flares being lit by the Montenegrin supporters could easily have been
English distress signals in the second half.

Confident before the break, abject after it, England delivered one of their worst 45 minutes since playing Algeria at the last World Cup and they have damaged their hopes of playing in the next. Once again a lack of composure and killer instinct cost England.

This was a horrible night at the City Stadium. Ashley Cole was showered in spit when taking a throw-in. A photographer had a cup of urine thrown over him. Lighters, coins and plastic bottles were lobbed at players. If any more loo-paper had been thrown, Joe Hart risked resembling a mummy.

Up amongst the Ultras on the top tier behind Hart’s goal in the second half, Megaphone Man whipped up the passions, even sending Hart and the players towards the tunnel at the final whistle with a loud chant of “England, England, ---- you, ---- you, England”.

An FA official discreetly filmed all the trouble yet any complaints by the English will merely be filed in the “sour grapes” in-tray at Uefa.

This was so grim, a draw that undoubtedly harms England’s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. Montenegro remain two points clear in Group H and could be five ahead at the end of the season, with Ukraine visiting this spittle-field on June 7. England have home games next season with Moldova, Montenegro and Poland in addition to a trip to Ukraine. The odds on a play-off ordeal shorten.

At half-time, all had seemed well. England were leading through Wayne Rooney, should have had a penalty when Danny Welbeck was clearly fouled – but booked for simulation – by Stefan Savic and were in control, enjoying 58 per cent possession.

It was as if a team went in at the break and a collection of strangers re-emerged.

The change was startling and dispiriting, night following day, nightmare following hope, and the lack of decisive action from Roy Hodgson bordered on the excruciating. England’s manager failed to react to a tide that was clearly turning. Montenegro were clearly building, Mirko Vucinic constantly troubling Hart.

England craved more control in midfield, perhaps needing Frank Lampard to replace Tom Cleverley, or setting Montenegro a challenge by introducing Ashley Young, who came on only after Dejan Damjanovic deservedly equalised Rooney’s earlier header. Hodgson dithered. The mood darkened, such a contrast to earlier when Rooney found his redemption.

As England sped from the blocks, Rooney led the charge, escaping from markers like Miodrag Dzudovic, causing chaos, clearly chasing redemption after his red card here for kicking Dzudovic in 2011. He had No 10 on his back and No 9 as his assignment. Speeding in from the right after two minutes, Rooney chipped the ball over Mladen Bozovic but against the post. England’s ambition was clear.

There was a composure to Hodgson’s men in the early stages, a desire to keep the ball on the floor, making a mockery of Branko Brnovic’s pre-match comments about perceived directness. Any ball, short or long, would have been welcomed after the break.

Until then, England played some mature, intelligent, attractive football. They were at Montenegro’s defence early and persistently.

Glen Johnson’s cross was controlled by Welbeck, whose shot was blocked. Gerrard laid the ball back to Johnson, whose 30-yarder was tipped over by Bozovic.

England maintained the pressure, taking the lead after six minutes.

Gerrard curled the corner over and there was Rooney, wrestling with Vladimir Volkov who slipped, heading home, before being engulfed in the collective embrace of his white-shirted colleagues. It was an emotional, historic moment. Rooney’s header equalled Michael Owen’s England competitive goalscoring mark of 26. His 35th international goal also moved him to within five of Owen, who lies fourth in the all-time list.

England fans broke off from making abusive comments about the absent Rio Ferdinand to celebrate the goal raucously. In front of them, England were pressing hard. Welbeck, starting on the left but tracking back, closed down Mitar Novakovic. Michael Carrick dispossessed Savic.James Milner tackled Volkov.

This was what Hodgson wanted, a deftness and quickness in winning back the ball. Yet when Cleverley escaped with an excessive attempt at ball-winning, Brnovic responded angrily, throwing a bottle along the touchline and earning a rebuke from the Swedish fourth official.

Montenegro attempted to equalise but Smalling blocked Elsad Zverotic’s effort while Hart commanded his area to claim a Simon Vukcevic corner.

Montenegro tore into England after the break. Stevan Jovetic headed into the side-netting as Hart dived to his right. The Fiorentina striker then missed at the other post. The missiles began. One ball-girl darted on to collect a coin which she discreetly handed to a policeman.

Nerves seeped into England’s play. Montenegro were coming on stronger and stronger. Vucinic shot over, and then had a low, deflected drive saved by Hart. Megaphone Man was really cranking up the volume, the fans bouncing up and down.

England’s supporters tried to make themselves heard, tried to lift the players but still Montenegro hammered away at the barricades.

Vucinic was shooting on sight, almost catching out Hart, and then placing a drive just wide of the keeper’s left-hand upright. Hart was being called upon more and more, doing superbly to push a Jovetic shot away. Still the missiles rained down.

England were crying out for a change, for help. Hodgson desisted until Montenegro had the equalizer their pressure deserved. The substitute Damjanovic pounced after some desperate clearances. Hodgson finally sent on Young. Gerrard had two late efforts saved but England were lucky to escape with a point.